On the Campaign Trail for Victorino

The date was October 2nd, 2008. Pitcher Brett Myers had worked himself out of a first inning, bases loaded jam, giving up only one run. It was an important run for the Milwaukee Brewers as ace pitcher C.C. Sabathia was about to take the mound. Sabathia, a late season pick up for the Brewers, had put the team on his shoulders and dragged them into the playoffs. Sure, a one run lead for the mighty Milwaukee giant should have been enough and the Brewers should have had the NLDS series tied. Unfortunately for Sabathia and the rest of the Brewers, October 2nd, 2008 was the night that The Flyin Hawaiian, Mr. Shane Victorino, decided to have his coming out party. Victorino was about to become a household name, not only in Philadelphia but across the entire country.

When we as fans vote for all-stars, some of us legitimately pick the best player at their respective position. Others (like myself) fill out two cards, one all Phillies and one all legitimate all-stars. Still others fill out one card containing only Phillies. For those of us who spend the time filling out the legitimate card, what are the parameters of our final decision? What time period are we voting for, the first half of the current season or should we take into consideration the second half of the previous year and postseason? To neglect the previous year and the postseason is to short change a players total body of work since the previous All-Star Game.

Victorino’s pivotal first career grand slam wasn’t his only big stroke of the 2008 postseason. We all remember where we were when Victorino hit the game tying two-run home run against the L.A. Dodgers which set the stage for Matt Stairs’ glory. It also helped us to take a 3-1 series lead in a series that we would eventually win. If not for Victorino, the Dodgers may have tied the series at two and who knows if we are having our Halloween party on Broad Street or not. As nostalgic as I could become over Victorino’s playoff glory, his overall numbers in the playoffs last season were not overwhelming, but put him in a clutch situation and he delivered. Every time.

So why should we vote for Shane Victorino? Consider his numbers as opposed to other outfielders; he is tied for first in hits and runs scored, sixth in batting average among outfielders with a minimum of 250 at-bats, and tied for tenth in on base percentage. Add to that a solid gold glove year and Victorino helps to anchor what is one of the best “up the middle” in all of baseball.

Let’s be real clear. Shane Victorino does not deserve to start on this years All-Star team. He is having an all-star caliber year and deserves to make the roster as the final player chosen. His numbers are borderline but his intangibles put him over the edge. Shane Victorino is the engine that drives this 2009 Phillies squad. If you take into consideration his second half stats from last season and the post season, there is no doubt that Victorino is a bonafide all-star. Out of the five players in the running for the final spot, all are worthy of making this year’s team. They have all had a solid year. It’s unfortunate that there is only one spot left, but that one spot should go to Victorino, not just for his first half this year, but for his complete body of work since last seasons All-Star Game. Since then, he has been one of the best outfielders in baseball.

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Good stuff on Victorino. A lot of people probably don’t take the time to learn about the individual candidates as much as they should. I may be biased but I feel Victorino deserves to go and I really hope he gets in. For one thing the All Star game would be more fun with a guy like Victorino in the mix, would it not???

Yea, with the exception of RAUUUUUL, I really don’t like our outfielders…. I don’t understand why Charlie didn’t pick Shane automatically. I really hope he makes it with the fan vote.

Meanwhile, Sandoval is still leading the pack… but has anyone seen the guy play consistently? He swings at the first pitch almost all the time… something like J-Roll 2007 (and early 2009) version (it can spell lots of success at first, but once pitchers get to know you, you’re doomed unless you make adjustments, and I don’t see Sandoval making any for now). I like the guy (and I have him in my fantasy team), but he’s a rookie, not an All-Star –at least for now.

Well it is fairly easy to vote for him. It only takes a few seconds, and you can vote as much as you want. I have voted over a hundred times.

Also the way I look at it, Shane Victorino has given all of us Phillies fans some really good times. I was at the playoff game when he hit the grand slam. It was an absolute blast. Probably the most fun I have ever had at a Phillies game. He is also a player who always gives it his all. He sometimes makes stupid plays. But you never see him give up on a play. So here is our chance to give something back to him.

I voted for Shane many times… he deserves it. He is a catalyst on this team… he might not make the pretty catches like Torii Hunter but he covers as much ground as any other outfielder in baseball and his Gold Glove was well deserved. An all-star appearance would also be well deserved.

I remember where I was then Victorino hit the granny against CC. In the stands at Miller Park. As a transplant living in suburban Chicago, I couldn’t miss the opportunity to see the Fightins in the playoffs only 2 hrs away. You could have heard a pin drop in that stadium it got so quiet.

I’ve voted for Shane many times but I just can’t believe that on a Phillies BLog it takes a day for an official post on the fact that Roy Holliday is offfically being shoped and from everything I can find the Phils are the favorite for his services….!!!THIS SOULD BE UP FOR DISCUSSION!!! its what sports bloging is about. On another roster note …If the Phils have interest in Pedro could it be in the pen since he is worthless after 90 pitches?

According to SI.com Phillies are front runners for Halladay and its likely that any trade for him would include Donald. Since Toronto attempted to trade for him last year offering up Tallet and Stairs

1. Phillies. Halladay would make the perfect righty complement for ace lefty Cole Hamels, and Philly is the only contender that has come out publicly to say that they would seek a top-of-the-rotation starter. The Phillies have been reluctant to trade their best prospects, but for Halladay, they would have to. One talent evaluator said that Halladay would be “sick” in the National League, and he meant it in a good way.

Does anyone know if buses can park in the Jetro Lot? or if there is a phone number of someone to ask. We have a bus rented for this saturday but the Phils say it can only park in Q lot and we plan to tailgate for a while before the game.

It’s too early to know whats really going on with Halladay. The Phils are as well placed as any but it’s going to take a couple of days before we’ve even got a clue whats going on past speculation. Right now we know Toronto are fielding offers but insiders still say the chances of him moving are very slim. Make of the situation what you will.

What I am reading is its between boston mets, and cardinals, for halladay, if boston includes Buchholtz, then they get him, toronto doesn’t want carrasco or donald as the phillies offered, and now amaro has pull out of the deal.

The Phillies will and should put in Drabek and Donald. Drabek might be a stud yes, but will he ever be as good as Halliday. Probably not. The window for this team is three to five. Halliday could sign an extension for 3 more years keeping him here for five. He makes Hamels better and makes this team World Series winners. I agree you dont want to give up the farm but for this type of player you do. He is that special. Make the deal now.

No you dotn make that deal. World Series victories are about more than one player. The Phillies still need a RH bench bat and another arm for the bullpen on top fo the SP.

They still need those little pieces that Gillick was so good at getting.

And by no means do you touch Drabek, Taylor, Happ for ANY PLAYER. You cant buy your way out of trouble like you used to in sports. Winning is all about building through the farm and through trades. You use free agency to plug holes and fill gaps with buying time (Raul gives Taylor time to get ready). Free Agency now has become so much of a risk that its not worth it (though Ibanez really is a great addition) with most of these players.

The Phillies WILL NOT TRADE KYLE DRABEK or MICHAEL TAYLOR. PERIOD. They have repeatedly said so. They have never done anything liek that before, and they wont change now.

I’m glad I’m not in Ruben’s shoes right now, there are so many ways a move like this could blow up in your face, equally as many could make him look like a genius. What if Halladay doesn’t transition well, what if his groin injury resurfaces this season? Who are you going to have to give up? Will the Jays insist on Drabek, Taylor and/or Happ? I think they will definitely want at least one of those guys, so what do you do? It’s fun for us to speculate, but imagine the turmoil in Ruben’s head these days.